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Save the Date: Connected Catholic Communities 2024 Symposium (Ref: 12/24)
Catholic Schools NSW is pleased to announce the 2024 Connected Catholic Communities Symposium, which will be held in Sydney on Tuesday, 12 March.
This year we are excited to also be providing participants with the unique opportunity to attend a Masterclass (3 hour plus lunch) Monday, 11 March, with our international keynote speaker!
We look forward to welcoming colleagues from across our Catholic community – both within and beyond the school gate – to the beautiful Amora Hotel Jamison.
Don’t miss this important event for our Catholic community with these three simple steps:
- Mark your calendars today
- Fill in the EXPRESSION OF INTEREST so we can connect with you
- Share with your colleagues
Save the Date – 2024 Combined Disability and Behaviour Network Symposium (Ref: 11/24)
Catholic Schools NSW is pleased to confirm Friday, 10 May 2024, as the date for the 2024 Combined Disability and Behaviour Symposium.
Presenters confirmed for the symposium include:
- Professor Donna Cross – Chief Behaviour Advisor, NSW Government
- Dr Matt Capp – Universal Design for Learning
- Dr Helen Street – Contextual Wellbeing
Additional information about the symposium and an updated list of presenters will be shared closer to the date. Registrations will open in February 2024.
HSC Data Analysis Seminars (Ref: 272/23)
Teachers, school leaders, and system officers are invited to attend a series of seminars presented by Dr John DeCourcy, discussing the intricacies and importance of understanding and analysing the 2023 HSC Data.
The Seminar Programme spans the following 4 seminars, some with multiple times, and each with a particular audience in mind. Those thinking of registering are reminded to ensure they have a functioning NetID login and that they can access both the HSC Data Analysis Users portal and an online Tutorial within that portal designed to support intending participants.
More information about the tutorial, prerequisites, and the entire programme can be found here: Seminars-2024-outline
Please see below for the date and time of each seminar with registration links.
Diocesan Officers’ Overview
Who: Diocesan & Congregational system officers.
When: Wednesday 31 January 2024 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Where: The Assembly, Mezzanine level, 123 Pitt St, Sydney.
Programme description: this seminar will take participants through using the system-level reports in conjunction with school reports to support schools. There will be opportunities for cross-system sharing and a discussion of key features of the 2023 HSC. A NESA representative will also be present to talk briefly about the 2023 results.
Register here: Overview | Catholic Schools NSW
HSC Analysis #1: Introduction to the Analysis
Who: Teachers, KLA coordinators, school leaders and interested persons who have not previously attended an HSC seminar.
When:
1. Tuesday 13 February 2024 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm (FULL)
2. Friday 23 February 2024 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Where: Macquarie University City Campus, Level 24, 123 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Programme description: This seminar proposes to discuss why and how data should be used within schools to shape the direction of pedagogy. It will also cover an introduction to the idea of Comparative Learning Gain and how this can be used to understand HSC data.
Register here:
1. Introduction | Catholic Schools NSW – first session
2. Introduction | Catholic Schools NSW – second session
HSC Analysis #2: A detailed reading of your Analysis
Who: Experienced users, including teachers, coordinators, APs or Principals who have previously attended at least one HSC Analysis Seminar.
When:
1. Thursday 15 February 2024 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.
2. Tuesday 27 February 2024 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Where: Macquarie University City Campus, Level 24, 123 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Programme description: Participants will have the opportunity to spend the majority of the seminar in a detailed, guided reading of their own school’s Analysis. This will include a consideration of ways to resolve any problems highlighted by the Analysis.
Register here:
1. Reading| Catholic Schools NSW – first session
2.Reading| Catholic Schools NSW – second session
HSC Analysis #3: Leading your school in the Analysis
Who: Principals, Aps, Leaders of Curriculum or Pedagogy and anyone with a whole school focus.
When: Monday 19 February 2024 from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm.
Where: Macquarie University City Campus, Level 24, 123 Pitt Street, Sydney.
Programme description: This seminar will explore the intersection of leadership, data, teacher professional learning and student achievement. Participants will come away having considered a range of leadership responses to their school’s Analysis. Multiple members of a school’s senior leadership team are encouraged to attend.
Register here: Leading| Catholic Schools NSW
Results Analysis Training 2024 (Ref: 334/23)
Teachers are encouraged to take advantage of online training on 13 February 2024 which aims at developing an understanding of Results Analysis and how to use the Results Analysis Package (RAP) data sets to create teaching and learning goals.
This training will be provided by NESA staff and there are sessions suitable for both beginners and those at an intermediate stage.
Session: An Introduction to the Results Analysis Package (Beginners)
Date: Tuesday 13 February 2024
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Register via this link.
Session: An Introduction to the Results Analysis Package (Intermediate)
Date: Tuesday 13 February 2024
Time: 2:00 – 3:30 pm
Register via this link.
‘Engaged Classroom’ Resources – Free Evidence-based Resources for Teachers (Ref: 8/24)
The Commonwealth Government is investing $3.5 million to help teachers manage classrooms through a range of free, evidence-based resources. The ‘Engaged Classrooms’ resources were developed by the Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) in consultation with teachers and classroom management expert Dr Tim McDonald.
The free resources will help teachers starting out, those working in new environments, and experienced teachers who want to refine or refresh their classroom management practice.
A further two sets of classroom management resources for teachers will be released in 2024.
The first suite of professional learning resources includes easily accessible evidence explainers and adaptable best practice guides. Future resources will include video demonstrations, mentoring guides and support for school leaders.
The first set of resources is available at: Classroom management resources
Sun Safety Resources – Sun and UV at School (Ref: 9/24)
With the warmer months upon us, it’s timely to remind students of the dangers of UV rays and the importance of sun safety. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and statistics show that melanoma is the most common cancer affecting young Australians aged 15 – 24 years. The good news is that skin cancer is highly preventable.
The new Sun and UV at School skin cancer resources will assist primary and secondary school students to make healthy, safe, and proactive choices regarding sun protection to reduce their risk of skin cancer into the future.
Click on the following link to access teaching and learning materials, as well as other general resources: https://www.cancer.nsw.gov.au/prevention-and-screening/preventing-cancer/preventing-skin-cancer/sun-and-uv-at-school
HSC Data Analysis Available (Ref: 2/24)
Analysis of the 2023 HSC performance has been finalised and is available to authorised users via the NETid. We further note that:
- Given the 2023 HSC cohort did not sit Year 9 NAPLAN in 2020 for the majority of students, only Year 7 prior achievement was available. This has resulted in the multilevel models being in the order of 5-7% weaker than in prior years. The main impact that users may notice is that the confidence limits for 2023 HSC analysis results will be a little larger than they would otherwise be.
- Minor updates were made to Graph 2 (Overall School Result) and the Diocesan Competitiveness Graph on 16 January. Any reports run on or before that date should be re-run.
Updated Best Practice Guidelines for Anaphylaxis Prevention and Management in Schools and Children’s Education and Care (Ref: 7/24)
The National Allergy Council has updated the best practice guidelines for anaphylaxis prevention and management in schools and children’s education and care services. Additional supporting resources to help schools and children’s education and care services adopt an ‘Allergy Aware’ approach to anaphylaxis management have also been updated where required.
The best practice guidelines are comprehensive and practical and include key principles for reducing the risk of anaphylaxis along with recommendations for the following:
- Allergy aware approach
- Anaphylaxis management policy and plans
- Allergy documentation
- Emergency response
- Staff training
- Community and peer education
- Post-incident management and incident reporting
The National Allergy Council’s Allergy Aware resource hub was developed to help support schools and children’s education and care services, and this has been re-designed to have a fresh, fun look and also a new camp section. This resource hub includes the best practice guidelines and supporting resources developed by the National Allergy Council, along with a range of other evidence-based, best-practice resources developed by ASCIA and Allergy & Anaphylaxis Australia.
Allergy Aware Resource hub – www.allergyaware.org.au
NSW Training Awards: Applications for 2024 Are Now Open (Ref: 3/24)
Step up and be recognised with a NSW Training Award! The NSW Training Awards are conducted annually by Training Services NSW to recognise outstanding achievements by individuals and organisations in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector.
Why get involved with the Awards?
As the premier awards for vocational education and training (VET) in NSW, the Awards are a great way to receive recognition for the effort that individuals, Employers and Registered Training Organisations put into VET.
For organisations, the Awards are the perfect platform to showcase the organisations’ commitment to VET. Entering the Awards raises the profile of the organisation and the awareness of the industry to the organisations’ dedication to skills for the workforce.
For individuals, the Awards provide a unique opportunity to celebrate their achievements and hard work. Nominating an individual for an award can open many doors and potentially become a stepping stone in their careers.
Individual Award Categories relevant for schools:
- VET in Schools Student of the Year
- School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year
- VET Trainer/Teacher of the Year
Organisation Awards:
- Industry Collaboration
- Large Employer of the Year
- Small Employer of the Year
- Large Training Provider of the Year
- Small Training Provider of the Year Awards
National Award categories: (previous successful school applications)
- Innovation in VET Award
- School Pathways to VET Award
Preparation
Give yourself plenty of time to complete your application. You can still make edits to your submitted application right up until the closing dates:
- Individual: 17 March 2024
- Organisations: 31 March 2024
Be sure to access the NSW Training Awards site for:
- Eligibility and selection criteria
- Submission tips and videos
- FAQs
- Interview preparation videos
Process
Students will be in the final year of their qualification, so generally, Year 12. Teachers/trainers can be relatively new or very experienced.
Winners progress through:
- Regional Training Awards
- Interviews: April; Awards: June
- NSW State Training Awards
- Interviews: July; Awards: 13 September
- Australian Training Awards
- Interviews: October; Awards: November
For an Organisational Award, check you’ve selected the most appropriate category.
Good luck!
Japanese Government’s 2024 MEXT Teacher Scholarship (Ref: 5/24)
The Japanese Government MEXT Scholarship 2024 Teacher Training Students Category is now open, offering scholarships to teachers outside of Japan who wish to conduct research on school education at designated Japanese universities. Benefits of the scholarship include all tuition fees, return airfares to Japan and a monthly allowance of 143,000 Yen (amount subject to change).
MEXT offers scholarships to teachers outside of Japan who wish to conduct research on school education at designated Japanese universities as “Teacher Training Students” under the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program.
Benefits of the scholarship include all tuition fees, return airfares to Japan and a monthly allowance of 143,000 Yen (amount subject to change).
The time period covered by the scholarship is necessary for the completion of the accepting university’s training course, which should be between October 2024 (or the starting month of the course) and March 2026.
Eligibility
- Applicants must have been born on or after April 2, 1989, and must hold Australian citizenship.
- Applicants must be graduates of universities or teacher training schools and have worked as teachers at primary/secondary educational institutions or teacher training schools (excluding universities) in their home countries for a total period of five years or more as of October 1, 2024. In-service faculty members in a higher education institution are not eligible.
- Applicants must ensure that they return to their home country by the end of the final month of the scholarship period and resume their work as a teacher at his/her primary/secondary educational institution or teacher training school. Applicants shall utilize the results of their research on school education in Japan. If a grantee does not satisfy both conditions, he/she may be ordered to return the entire amount of the scholarship paid during the scholarship period. Those who are uncertain about returning and resuming their work after the end of the scholarship period should not apply for this program.
- Applicants must be willing to learn Japanese. Applicants must be interested in Japan and willing to deepen their understanding of it after arriving in Japan. Applicants must also be able to research and adapt to living in Japan.
Examination and Interview
All applicants must sit the Japanese and English language exams on Thursday, 22 February 2024 (TBC).
Those who successfully pass the examinations will be required to undertake an in-person interview on Tuesday, 5 March 2024 (TBC).
Travel expenses to and from exam and interview venues are borne by the applicant.
Application deadline
Hard-copy application documents must arrive at the Embassy of Japan in Canberra by 5 pm (AEDT) on Monday 12 February 2024. Please take note of Australia Post delivery times when posting. We recommend you send your application by Express Post.
More information can be found here.
Click on the links below to download the necessary documents: